A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Ileana wore a custom ivory dress, her long hair falling loosely around her shoulders. Her eyes were slightly red at the corners, giving her a fragile, delicate look.

If it had been anyone else in her position, the class might have rushed to take her side, directing their resentment toward Alessia. After all, Alessia had spent years living as the heiress, while the real daughter had who knows what kind of life before returning to the Tate family. It was easy to imagine yourself in Ileana’s shoes and feel indignant on her behalf.

But when Ileana finished speaking, the classroom remained silent.

Ileana lowered her head, biting her lip and clutching the hem of her dress. From the outside, she looked for all the world like a lost, helpless waif. Yet the strange hush lingered, heavy and unbroken.

Suddenly, the quiet was shattered by the sharp sound of clapping.

All eyes turned to Alessia. She smiled, her gaze locked unflinchingly on Ileana standing at the front.

There was an undercurrent between them, but outwardly, both wore calm masks.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you were here too, sister. Please take care of me in the future,” Ileana said, as if only now noticing Alessia.

Alessia arched an eyebrow, pretending to ponder for a moment before speaking with mock confusion.

and a younger brother.

sister.”

ducked her head, and when she looked up again, her eyes brimmed

struggled to hold back a laugh and gave

in the room came from good families and had seen all kinds of people. Ileana’s little performance didn’t fool them; if

and who was the imposter? It

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Chapter 52

be a Tate by blood, but if Ileana wasn’t, she was nothing at

could. read each other like open books. Someone

were the two Tate brothers. Even if Alessia was part of the family, so what?

Alessia would succeed at whatever she chose. That made this the perfect time to get in her good graces. If Ileana thought that just becoming the “Tate heiress” would make everyone fawn over her, then their families

fallen low.